Feeder and catcher table mechanism



June 1l., `1940. R. J. LEcKRoNE FEEDER AND CATCHERNTABLE MECHANISM FiledJune 8, 1937 l1 Sheets-Sheet l.

R gf; m E V m June ll, 1940. R. J. LECKRONE msnm Ann encima TABLEucamrsu 11 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVETOR 9AM f2@ Filed June 8, 1937 June 111940- v R.J. LEcKRoNE v 2,203,733

' FEEDER AND CATCHER TABLE MECHANISM Filed June a, 193'/ 11 sheets-sheets www R. J. Ll-:cKRoNE FEEDER AND CATCHER TABLE MECHANISI June 11,y1940.

Filed June 8, 1937 1l Sheets-Sheet 4 man -m\ INVITOR June ll, l940 R. J.LECKRONE FEEDER AND CATGHER TABLE MECHANISM Filed June a, 19317 11sheets-sheet 5 Il! III www@ June 1l, 19.40. R, 1 LECKRQNE 2,203,733

FEEDER AND CATGHER TABLE MECHANISK I Filed June 8, 1937 11 Sheets-Sheet'6 June ll1 1940. R. J. LEcKRoNE FEEDER AND CATCHER TABLE MECHANISHFiled .June 8,1937 11 sheets-sheet 7 June 1l, 1940. R, J, LECKRQN2,203,733

FEEDER AND CATCIUFJR TABLE MECHANISM Filed June l8, 1937 1l Sheets-Sheet8 June 11, 1940. R. J. LEcKRoNE FEEDER AND CATCHER TABLE MECHANISH 11Sheets-Sheet 9 Filed June 8, 1937 NSW llElL rl.

INVENTOR June ll, 1940.

n. J. LECKRQNE FEEDER AND GATCHER TABLE MECHANISI Filed June, 1937 11vSheets-She'c 10 June l1, 1940. R. J. LEcKoNE 2,203,733

FEEDER AND CATCHER TABLE MECHANISH Filed June a, 1937 11 shee'ts-sheet11 9 1 L --LTI-n rXXI' 66 ZE Y--r-f, l i i f EKL-fnl I I .236

l I g l l l Ivi 'mt will EEO l l d /j i315 |L f 05 if E11 lf' /504 "d 0a315 E14 i 16 Jgf? FFE] KO E10 210 INVENTYOR @Z5/mi2@ Patented June Il,1940 PATENT ori-ICE FEEDER AND CATCHER TABLE MECHANISM Roy J. Leckrone,Mount Lebanon, Pa., assignor to Continental Roll & Steel Foundry -Comi,

panna corporation o! Delaware Application June 8, 1937, Serial No.146,998

9 Claims.

r This invention `relates to the hot rolling of metal and moreparticularly to a combined apparatus comprising feeder and catchertables for use in handling the metal being rolled in a threehigh mill. l

The feeder table of this invention being `adapted for use in connectionwith a three-high 'mill is not tiltable but after being moved toposition so that its conveyor chains are lined up with 10 the lower passof the mill, remains stationary. The catcher table is pivotally mountedadjacent its rear end so that after `receiving material passing throughthe lower pass of the mill, it is tilted upwardly about its pivot pointand delivers the material to the upper pass. After delivering thematerial to the upper pass it is moved down to receiving position.

Feeder and catcher tables of the type designed for use in connectionwith two-high mills are not m satisfactory for operation in connectionwith three-high mills and an object of this invention is to produce anorganized apparatus comprising a feeder table, a catcher table andcontrols i therefor suitable for use in connection with a three-highsheet bar or sheet breakdown mill.

Each of the tables of `this application embodies hinged side guides andmechanism `whereby the operators may readily swing the guidessimultaneously toward and from each other to produce a shuiliing actionfor the purpose of lining up the material forming the pack, breakdownsor partly finished sheets as the case may be.

i The side guides of the feeder table are so constructed and adjustedthat the sheet `bars or breakdowns as the caseimay be on the feedertable may be selectively released, that is, all but the forward sheetbar or breakdown may be held back and the forward sheet bar orbreakdown. no matter where the same is located carried on 40 by theconveyor to the lower roll pass.

` The feeder table also includes a front stop under the control of theoperator by means of which the sheet bars, `breakdowns or sheets as thecase may be may be matched.

Both the feeder and catcher tables with their operating motors are selfcontained, that is, the feeder table is mounted upon a base whichcarries `its operating motor `and reducing gear set so that the tableand its operating :motor` and 5o gear set can be moved as a unit to andfrom position. This is also true of the catcher table and its operatingmotor.

'I'he forward endof the supporting base foreach table is provided withleveling fjacks for `point by means of a reducer set having crank l armsconnected to the main frame of the catcher table. The reducer set andits motor are sup- 1| plemented by a spring motor utilizing nestedcompression springs. Thisspring motor assists the reducer set and itsmotor in raising the table about its pivot point and tends to cushionthe downward movements of the table.

The catcher table is provided with a middle stop which can be moved todifferent positions longitudinally of the table in order to take care ofvarious lengths of material being rolled. The catcher table is alsoprovided `with a back stop 25 under the control of the operator and withpinch rolls at the Arear end of the table which are also under thecontrol of the operator and which feed the nished sheets to a piler.

The operators chairs, one for the feeder table 30 and one for thecatcher table, also form part of i the organized apparatus and thesechairs are located adjacent the rear end of each table with both`operators facing the mill. While these chairs are bolted to the tableor foundations and are not carried by the table supports the operat- 5ing shafts extending from the chairs to the table are made extensibleand provided with universal joints so that the tables may be adjustedtoward and from the `mill without disconnecting the operating leverswhich are mounted at the chairs. 40

In .the drawings:

Figures 1 and 2 taken together (Fig. 2 bein;` a continuation of Fig. l)illustrate in side elevation a feeder table embodying this invention;

Figs. 3 and 4 (Fig. 4 being a continuation of 45 Fig. 3) taken togetherillustrate in top plan the feeder table of Figs. 1 and 2;

Figs. 5 and 6 taken together (Fig. 6 being a continuation of Fig. 5)illustrate in side elevation a catcher table embodying this invention;

Figs. 7 and 8 taken together (Fig. 8 being a continuation of Fig. 7)illustrate in top plan the catcher table of Figs. 5 and 6; v

Fig. 9 is a more or less schematic view in side elevation of thecombined structure comprising I8 thefeeder and catcher tables embodyingthis invention and the mill; the mill being .by

' dotted-lines.

,ychairyV v Fig.' 25 is a view in Side elevation of the catcher mg. 101sa top pian view of the combinedr structure shown in Fig 9 withl therolls of the mill removed;

Fig. 11 is a transverse section of the feeder tableand is taken'on lineXI-XI of Figs. 1 and 3. This view illustrates the zshuii'iing, sideguides. `their adjusting devices andthe operating mechanism for thesame;v

Fig. 12 is a transverse section of the feederv table taken on llineXII-fm of Fig, 1 and illustrates the feeder table-back stop;

Figs. 13, 14 and 15 are detail views of portionsof the shuiilingmechanism used in both 'the 1 catcher and feeder tables and which isshown in Fig. 11; Y

Fig. 16 is a transverse section taken on line XVI- XVI of Figs. 2 and 4and illustrates lthe front stop forvthe feeder table and a portion ofits operating mechanism;

Fig. 171s a perspective view of the back stop of the catcher table witha portion of its operating mechanism;

Fig. 18 is a view inside elevation of thev adjustable middle stop forthe catcher table. This view shows a portion of the mechanism forraising and lowering the middle stop; t

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of the elements shown in Fig. 18; j

Fig. 20 is la detail view in section ofone of the auxiliary supports forthe catchef. table;l

Fig. 2l is a sectional view takenon line m- XXI of F18. 20;

Fig. 22 is a transverse sectional view taken on lineXXlI-XXII of Fig. 1;

Fig. 23 is a view in side elevation of the feeder table chair;

y Fig. 24 is a topplan view of the feeder table table chair; and

Fig. 26 is atop plan view of the catcher table chair. v-

. Feeder table The-frame of the feeder table is preferably .fabricatedfrom rolled shapesfand plates such as channels 30 and3l which constitutethe frame side members.'4 channel 32 which' constitutes the backcrossmember and plate`33 which=forms the flooring orl bedl for the frame.-The frame' is mounted on a baseplate 34 which in turn is supported bysuitable y channels and v1-beams .which are collectivel'yrdesignatedbythe numeral 35.l Pedestals 3 6 'support the rear of the table frameand pedestals, support the forward part `of the frame.` A chain conveyordrive shaft 33 extends across the frame at its rear and isjour- Y naledin` suitable bearings carried in the top portion of pedestals 36.AShaft133`carries suitably spaced chainsprockets 39 and 40 and the shaftis coupled to the low speed shaft of a worm re- [duction gear set 4|whichis mounted on an ex tension 42. of the base.

" of this worm reduction gear set is connected to i ja reversible motor43 which isfalso mounted on extensions: of the base. A shaft u jcurnaledin the` forwardend of thetable frame 'carries' chain-wheels 45 and 46.Conveyor chains 4i are trained over sprockets 39 and 40 and wheels 45 vand 43 and' these chains are kept taut by means of, spring'actuatedchain tighteners 43v of well knownV construction. Wear' plates 49--43are 'I'he high speed shaft secured to table piste u below the upper runsof chains 41 and the lower runs of the chains are supported on -idlerrollers I3 and Il. The forward portion of the table is provided withupstandlng chain guides l2 on each side o f the wear plates 4l while therear of the frame is provided with upsta'nding chain guides I3 locatedposite sides of the wear plates 43.v v

A sectional `water cooled roller I4 is supported by brackets Il whichare secured to and extend forwardly of the forward end of frame sidechannels 30 and 3|.l The top of this roller is in line with the top ofconveyor chains 41-41 and serves as a support for the material passingfrom the conveyor to the lower roll pass.

This roller, as said, is sectional and is made up of a number' (four) oftube-like members, preferably made from some heat resisting alloy.

These members are mounted on a stationary shaft lrnd fabricated bearingsare interposed be# tween these' members and said shaft. The shaft onopis hollow and is supplied with. water which passes out of the samethrough radial holes formed therein.

Each of the outer channels 35 is providedwith a relatively shortlongitudinally grooved contact plate 5l. Screw Jacks 5l (there be-1 ingone for each side) secured to the foundation and having their uppersurfaces lying within the grooves of saidcontact plates support theforward portion of the feeder table. By means of these jacks the forwardend of the table may be raised and lowered slightlyso as to line uproller 54 with the lower pass of the mill. a indicates the upper roll ofthe mill, b the middle roll and c the lower roll.

` The rearof the feeder table is supported by two rack and spur geardevices 53 shown more or less in detail in Fig. 22.

A wrench in the form oi' a long lever for operating the spur andrackmechanisms as well as the jacks is indicated by dotted lines in anumber of the figures of the drawings and it rwill be understood that itis only used for racking the tables to and from position and for raisingand lowering the forward ends thereof.

Racking mechanisms The base member. beside the side channels 35 f andbase plate 34 has a bottom plate 53 and llongitudinally extendingstiflening members in theform of I-beams 60. Two rack mechanisms itsrear end, and in line with pedestals 36. The spur wheel portion of eachof these devices is bolted to the foundation. 'Ihis portion comprises ashaft .6i which extends from one racking mechanism to the other at rightangles to the longitudinal axis of the feeder table and is journaled inbearings and 63 within brackets 34 and 65 which are secured to thefoundation by bolts 33-33 (see Fig. 22). Cap portion 61 lof one of thebrackets 64 is splitv as shown in Figs. l and 22v and ,a clamp bolt 83.is provided v for clamping shaft 6I against rotation. Shaft 6i insideof each set vof brackets and adjacent thereto is provided with a spurwheel 63 and these are-'keyed to the shaft. The hub of each spur wheelis provided with a hardenedv steel ring l'I3v which is preferably shrunkthereon. `A relatively short rack is provided for eachl spur gear. Theseracks are numbered 'ii- 1i and are secured to thel under side -of thebase member in line vfor racking the feeder table toward and from Y themill are used for the feeder table. I'he racks are secured to the underside of the `base adjacent with the spur gears. Each rack member isprovided with a hardened steel bearing plate 12 which parallels the rackteeth and bears on one of the wear rings 19. of the table is thereforetaken by shaft 9| through rings 19 and plates 12. From this constructionit will be seen that the racks and spur gears bear no weight and theracking of the table toward and from the mill is their soie function.

One end of shaft 9| is squared as shown at 19 to receive the actuatingwrench.

Shumina mechanism The side guides are shownin plan at -1919, Figs. 3 and4, one in side elevation in Fig. 1 and they are shown in transversesection in Fig.' 11. Each of the guides at its rear end is ilaredoutwardly as shown at 19 to facilitate entrance of sheet barstherebetween. Each guide from point 19 to a point 11 adjacent itsforward end is ared outwardly as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. A stiffener rib19 welded to the back of each side guide 19I extends throughout themajor portion of its length. Each of the side guides has a wear plate 19of some suitable heat resisting metal secured to its inner face. Eachguide is carried upon a pair of swinging levers, those for one of theguides being numbered 99 and those for the other being numbered 9|. Thelevers of each pair are spaced apart longitudinally of the table andbetween each side guide and each lever 99 a. tubular sheet metal spacer92 is interposed. Bolts 99 extend through each spacer and side guide andsecure the guides to the levers. Each lever is preferably formed in twoparts (Figs. 11, 14 and 15) bolted together at 99. The lower part ofeach lever is forked as clearly shown in Fig. 4l5 and the parts arepivotally mounted .on a shaft 99 by means of ball bearings 99. Shaft 99is secured within the depending portion 91 of a bearing block 99 whichsurrounds a more or less rectangular bar 99. The lower forked portion ofeach lever is bent at an angle to the remainder oi the lever as shown inFigs. 11 and 14 and stiffening ribs 99 are provided for the forkportions. Bar 99 is carried in support brackets 9I--9| and is boltedthereto at 92-92. These brackets depend from channel side members 99 and9| and are bolted to said channel members at 99-99 and 99--99.

The top surface of bar 99 adjacent each end thereof has rack teeth 99cut therein. The top of levers 99 and 9| extend outwardly `as shown at99 and the extreme outer end 91 of each such extension is bentdownwardly at an angle and is pierced to loosely receive a rod 99. Thisrod is threaded at its upper end and is provided `with a hook` at itslower end as shown in Fig. 11. A coil spring 99 has its upper endengaged by said hook and its lowerend hooked into a screw eye |99 whichis threaded into an extension |9| of bearing block 99. The tension ofspring 99 is adjusted by means of a wing nut |92 which bears againstabearing washer |99 which loosely surrounds rod 99 and rests against theupper surface of the downturned part 91 of extension 99 of each of thelevers. Spring 99 of lever 99 tends to move said lever toward the leftof Fig. 1l, while spring 99 of lever 9| tends to move said'leverto theright of' Fig. 11. Stop screws |99 which are threaded through flanges|99 of bearing blocks 99 form adjustable stops. for limiting the outwardmovement of levers 99 and 9|. `These screws are adjusted so that thelevers and "fthe side'guides 19 carried thereby maybe easily 'I'heweight of the rear oscillated in andA out 'to matin the desiredshuiiiing action.

Mechanism for oscillating the side guides A shaft |99 journaled foroscillation in suitable bearings carried by brackets secured to anddepending from plate 99 in line with levers 99 and 9| is provided with apair of oppositely extend- `respectively carried by said channel 99 andplate 99.

A bar Ill preferably bent as shown in Fig. 11 and having its inner endprovided with a bearing portion ||9 which surrounds the pin of crank |91has its outer end drilled to provide a series of aligned circular holesH9. A pin ||1 carried by a pad ||9 secured to lever 99 has a holedrilled therethrough from top to bottom to receive a tapered pin H9.lPin ||1 projectsthrough one of the series of holes ||9 and tapered pin||9 locks bar ||4 in position on pin ||1. A bar |29 bent in the reversedirection from bar IM as will appear from Fig. 11, has its end bearing|2| surrounding the pin of crank |99. This outer end is provided with aseries of holes |22 and this bar is locked in position on pin i 29 by atapered pin |29.

` In order to adjust the position of levers 99 and 9| to accommodate theshuiiiing mechanism to material of diierent widths, the bearing blocks99 which carry pins 99 upon which the levers are mounted may be movedtoward and from one another. This movement or adjustment is accomplishedby unlocking the bearing blocks from bar 99, moving them manually to thedesired positions and then locking them in such positions. The lockingmechanism for each bearing block comprises a shaft |29 journaled inbearings formed in extensions |29 and |21 of bearing block 99.l One endof the shaft carries an operating lever |29 and the other end a lockingcam |29 which, when lever |29 is turned to horizontal position as shownin Figs. 11, 13 and 15, nioves to position between two of the rack teeth99.

'I'hese mechanisms are identical for both levers 99 and 9| and onedescription will suffice for both.

The adjustment of the parts as shown in Fig.

41`1 is suitable for handling the narrowest material and with thisadjustment the side guide 19-19 or that portion thereof betweenoutflared ends 19 and flared side portions 19 is substantiallyperpendicular when at rest. `When wider material is to be rolled, thebearing blocks are unlocked and moved the desired distance apart. BarsIll and |29 are disconnected from pins |I1 and |29 and said pins areentered in the proper holes of series ||9 and |22 to correspond with thenew position of the bearing blocks.

'I'he outer end of shaft by means of universal joints |99 and I9|,shafts |92 and |39 and a tubular extensible coupling member |39 isconnected to a stub shaft |99 which carries an operating lever |99 atthe operator's chair |91. From this construction it will be apparentthat shaft |99 may be oscillated by swinging operating lever |99 andthus'cause hinged side guides 19-14 to approach and recede from one`another thus accomplishing the shuming action of break- 4 downsor'partially finished sheets as the case may be while the sameraresupportedon the chain conveyor.

Feeder table back stop 'I'he feeder table, lust behind the flared 'en-'trance ends of side guides 14 is provided with `a back stop which whenin raised or operative position. stops the advance of sheet bars whichare being carried forward bythe chain conveyor.

f This back stop is shown in detail in Fig. 12 and comprises two squaredmembers or fingers |33.

-These as shown in said figure are spaced apart and when in operativeposition, project above the top surface of the conveyor chains. Members|33 are pinned to a shaft |33 which is mounted for oscillation withinbearing members |45|40 secured to and depending from platel :3. one endof this shaft is provided wana crank arm |4| and this arm by means of alink |42 is connected to crank arml |43,.the hub |44 of which is pinnedto a shaft |45. Shaft |45 extends across the table andisv journaled inbearing. blocks |45|45 which are bolted to the webs of channel sidemembers and 3|. lThis vconstructionis such that when members or fingers|33 are raised to operative position as shown in Figs. 1 and 12, link|42 andcrank arm |43 which form a toggle are lined up, and thus ineifect form a lockv for locking members in raised position and forpreventing rotation of shaft |45 by the sheet bars as they collide withthe stop members. v

One end of shaft |45 by means of suitable universal joints |41 and |45,shaft sections |45 and |53 and a tubular extensible. coupling member |5|is connected to a stub shaft |52 at the feeder table chair |31. Thisstub shaft carries an operating lever |53 and full movement of theoperating lever to the right (Fig. 23) will move stop fingers |35 to theposition shown in Figs. 1 and l2; full movement to the left positionlshown in Fig. 23.`wil1 move the fingersto' the position shown in Fig. 3.l

Feeder table vfront stop yThe feeder table ladjacent its forward end, asshown in Fig. l, is ,provided .with a stop which is used -in matchingbreakdowns or sheets as the case may be, prior to ltheir entrance intothe lower pass of vthe mill. This'stop i's shown in position'as'shown inFigs. 2, 16 and 17, extend a distance above the tops of the conveyorchains.

AAstop plate |54 is bolted to the rear faces of said fingers and servesas the primary stop member. Each of the fingers |53a|53a is bolted tothe4top portion |55 of a crankl arm |55. The crank arms and ktheir hubsthus form two bell crank levers. Y

of a shaft |53.

f forward end of plate 33 isfcut away to re` j ceive thel back stopassembly as shownin 17.

' shaft sa is journaiedin two hollow cyiindricai 1 bearing members |53and |50 andeachof these bearing members is provided with a plate-like -Vextension|5| which is bolted tothe underside. of

plate 33. Anti-friction bushingsare inserted besacarse y inner face ofthechannel 30 is provided with a cylindrical bore |53 and a similarbearing bracket drical ends |51- |51 has such ends journaled Vwithinsaid bores |53 and. |55. Shaft |55 carries two crank arms` |55 and |55vand each of these is provided with a hub portion |10 having a squaredthrough hole which snugly fits the squared portion of shaft |55 and liesimmediately' adjacent one of the bearing bracket members. Each of thesecrank arms is connected to the outer end of crank arms |55 by a pair oflinks |1|. I-lub |10 of crank arm |58 is provided with another crank arm|12 which with said hub and arm |55 forms abell crank lever. The outerend of crank arm |12 is connected to the bifurcated end |13 of a shaftor rod |14 which extends longitudinally of the table. The opposite endof shaft or rod |14 is bifurcated and is connected v"rue catcher table'rn'e'c'atc'her table framers a substantial dupii- Vcate of the frame ofthe feeder table, so also is the base upon which the frame'is mounted.The catcher table is pivotally mounted at its rear end on the shaftwhich carriesthe driving sprockets for the conveyor chains. The motorand worm reduction set for raising and lowering the table about saidshaft are located directly beneath the 4table and because of this, thepit within which the table is positioned must be deeper than thatwithinv which the feeder table is positioned. The pedestals within whichthe upper portion of the pivot shaft is journaled are mounted onsupports carried by the table base.

The motor and reduction gear for driving the conveyor chains `aremounted on an extension of the base as shown in Fig. l0 and as with thefeeder table, the forward end of the catcher table is mounted on jackswhich are identical with .the jacks employed inconnection with'thefeeder table. The rear rof the base is mounted on racking devicesidentical with those employed inl conriection with the feeder table.

A The forward end portions of the channels form# ing the sides ofthetable frame are reduced in height .'(Fig. 5) in the same manner 'as thefor,

'ward ends of the `sidevchannels of the feeder table; This reductioninheight of the side channels Ais for the purpose'of permitting the tablesto be moved close to the rolls of the mill.

The driving sprockets-for the conveyor chains are numbered 'H4-'|54andare keyed to shaft |35-which -forms the pivotal mounting for-the rearend of the catcher table. Thisshaft is j our. naled in bearings in theupper portions |55 of .pedestals |51. -One of the'supports referred tofor the pedestals is numbered I 55 and the table baseisnumbered |55'. Vh i A |50 is the reversible motor for driving-the conveyor chainsthroughj ajgear reducing set isi.

'shown in Figs. and located directly beneath Motri forV raising.and'lowering thetaiileasfv 25 extends through an opening in floor plate204 the longitudinal center of the table. Its shaft is coupled to thehigh speed shaft of a worm reducer set |99. The low speed shaft |94 ofthe reducer set carries two crank arms |95 (one being shown in Fig.Motor |92 through reducer |93 `is adapted to raise and lower the catcherabout its pivotal mounting and to cushion the downward movementsthereof: I employ a mechanism comprising two spring devices 202-202.

These are positioned `beneath the channel side members of the framebetween motor |92 and the gear reducer |93. Each of these comprises atubular barrel 203 (Figs. and 21),` which of base |99 and is supportedin place by means of a bracket 205 secured to the top of said plate.

Barrel 203 is provided with a telescopically arranged bottom member 206which is held in place by rods 201. These rods projectthrough ears209--209 which are welded to bracket member 205 as shown at 209. 'I'hetelescopically arranged bottom member 206 is also provided with weldedon ears 2|0-2i0 through which rods 201 pass.

The upper ends of rods 201 are threaded to reshown in Fig. 21 arepositioned within barrel 203 and the sets are separated by a separator2|4 i havingupper and-lower annular flanges respectively numbered 2|5and 2I6. This separator has a loose fit in the inner bore of barrel 203and is provided with a centrally arranged vent opening 2| 1. `Theflanges 2|5 and 2|6 `hold the ends of the outer springs out of contactwith the walls of the barrel. An annular top member 2| 9 having adownwardly extending annular ange 2|9 rests on the top of the upper setof springs and said flange prevents the top ends of the outer spring ofthe upper set from contacting with the inner wall of barrel 203. 4

A plunger 220 rests on the top of annular member2|9 and a plunger rod22| pivotally con-` nected to the plunger by means of pin 222 has itsupper end formed in the nature ofvan eye 223. This eye is pivotallysecured within a bracket member 224 by means of a pin 225. The bracketmember is bolted to one of the channel side members of the `table frameas shownin Fig. 20. A

`table operator at chair 20|.

Back stop The catcher table is provided with a back stop 230 which isunder thecontrol of thecatcher This back stop is the same as the frontstop of th'e feeder table which is shown in detail in Figs. 16 and 17.The operating means for the back stop 239 is the Vsame as that for thefront stop of the feeder table and its operating shaft which correspondsto shaft |96. 'I'his shaft is connected to the shaft for lever 23| atchair 20| by means of universal joints 232 and 233, shaft sections 234and 235 anda tubular expansible joint 239.

Middle stop 'Ihe catcher table is provided with a middle stop which ismovable to different positions longitudinally of the table toaccommodate the rolling of material of different lengths.

'I'his middle stop is shown in detail in Figs. 18 and 19. Two strips231of plate material each provided with a series of aligned holes 239 aresecured in place just inside of the conveyor chains and extendthroughout that portion of the table within which it is desired tosecure the middle stop. s

The middle stop comprises stop plate 239 `which is carried by two curvedand spaced arms 240- 240 secured to a shaft 24|. The distance betweenthe outside faces of arms 240 is slightly less than the distance betweenthe inner edges of strips 231. Shaft 24| extends in opposite directionsbeyond the outer side faces of arms 240 and this bar is permitted toturn and is held in place by inverted U bolts or pins 242.

The assembly made up of shaft 24|. bracket arms 240 and stop member 239may be adjusted to the desired position between the ends of strips 231and anchored in place by placing U bolts or pins 242 over the extendedends of shaft 24|. The legs of these bolts or pins extend down throughaligned pairs of openings 239 andthus hold the middle stop in theposition desired.

The lower faces of bracket arms 240 rest upon the upper faces 243 of apair of angles. The downwardly extending portions 244 of these anglesare carried on the upper arms 245 of a pair of bell crank levers whichare mounted on spaced shafts 246 which extend across the table beneaththe upper deck thereof and are journaled within suitable bearingscarried by the channel side members of the frame. The lower arms 241 ofeach pair "of bell crank levers are connected to a reciprocatingactuating rod 249. These rods connect with the lower ends of levers 249which are carried by a rod 250 which extends across the table and isjournaled in suitable bearings carried by the channel side members ofthe frame. Shaft 250 by means of universal joints 25| and 252, shaftsections 253 and 254 and tubular telescoping` coupling 255 connects withoperating lever 255 at catcher table chair 20|.

When lever 256 is swung to the right (Fig. 25)

shaft 249 will be moved to the left (Figs. 18 and 19) and the angleswhich support bracket arms 240 will be lowered. 'I'his will allow stopmember 239 to drop below the top surface of the conveyor'chains and outof the path of the material traversing the table.

The shuffling mechanism for the catcher table is identical with that ofthe feeder table and shaft 251 which is the operating shaft for theshuilling mechanism is connected with stub shaft 259 at catcher tablechair 20|. This shaft carries an operating -lever 259 and is connectedto operating shaft 251 by means of universal joints 260 and 26|, shaftsections 262 and 266 and an extensible coupling 264. The dotted linepositions of lever 256 shown in Figure indicate, the levers extremepositions inv moving the side guards 265v of the shuiiling mechanism`toward and from the material on the chain conveyor.

1 A pair of feed rolls 266 are positioned `at the rear end of thecatcher table for feeding the iinlshed sheets to the receiving table orother support. The shafts 261 and 266 of said rolls are journaled insuitable bearings mounted for ver-- tical sliding movement withinwindows 266 in bracket members 210. These brackets are secured to therear end of the table frame and the lower roll is driven by a motor 21|through drive chain 212.

'I'he pinch rolls are held in contact by means of springs 21'6 (one overeach of the bearings of the upper roll) and the tension of these springsis adjusted by means of screws 214.

Means are provided for lining up the ends of the sheets delivered by thepinch rolls and this means comprises an aligning member 215 which 25 ismounted for oscillation on a shaft 216. This connected to a pin 260carriedv by the aligning member. l

'Ihe operation ofthe pinch rolls and the aligner are under the controlof the operator at chair 20 I.

chairs for controlling the operation of the chain conveyor of the feedertable. This chair will also be provided with a furnace door operatingswitch. As shown in Fig. 10, chair |61 for thefeeder table operator isin line with the shaft which carries the driving sprockets for thefeeder table conveyor.

Chair 20| for the catcher table operator is in line with the shaft whichcarries the sprockets for the conveyor of the catcher table. This tableis provided with a foot switch 262 for controlling the operation of thetable lifting motor |62 and motor |60 which operates the chainconveyorfor the catcher table. Chair 20| will also be provided with a starterbutton for the pinch rolls. 'I'he chairs face the mill and are raised aslight distance above the mill floor so that the operators can at alltimes see just what is going on and have complete control of alloperations.

A rotatable shaft 263 driven by gearing (not shown) from shaft |64 ofreducer |66 operates a limit switch 264. This switch will be connectedup to the current supply for motor -I 62 and with magnetic brake 226(Fig. 6) so that the current supply for motor |62 will be cut off whenthetable reaches the limit of its upper position as shown by dottedlines in Fig. 5, as well as when it reaches the limit of its downposition. When the current supply is cut off, rotation of motor |62 willbe stopped by magnetic brake 226.

As shown in Figs. 3 and4 11, shims 265 are placed between spacers 62 andside guides 14 at the rear end of the feeder table so that the sideguides at thisv position are brought slightly closer togetherl for abouttwo `to two and onehalf feet than throughout the remainder Yof theirlength. 'I'his permits the operator at the feeder tablechair |21 topinch the back sheet bars on the chain conveyor and hold them whilepercontact member 2i6 against which Chair |31 is provided with a footswitch 26| mitting the front sheet bar, no matter where the v same islocated, to be conveyed to the lower.

pass of the mill. In this way, the feeder'table operator can time thedelivery of sheet bars to the mill. It is only at the rear end of thefeeder table that the side guides are shimmed'.

Front stop |54 of the feeder tableis. used for matching the breakdownsand partially finished sheets, thus the breakdowns andpartially fin--ished sheets issue from the upper pass of the mill, pass over this stopand fall onto the chain conveyor of the feeder table. When the conveyoris reversed, the conveyor carries the material up against the stop andin this way match ing of the sametakes place.

Middle stop 266 of the catcher table will be moved to the properposition to take care of the particular sheet barsbeing rolled. Ifnarrow bars are being rolled, this stop will be adjusted` thus allowingthe'sheets to be carried into the bite of the pinch rolls. 1

The tension of the nested coiled springs in barrel 206 may be adjustedby means of nuts 2li.

.The telescoping bottom member 206 permits the springs to be compressedas they become weakened without changing the position of annular plunger220 bears. Y

Instead of having the operators chairs arranged so that the voperatorsface the mill,`it

the chairs may be arranged diagonally. Either` arrangement will allowthe operators to watch the entire rolling procedure. When the chairsvare arranged as above suggested, it of course will each table, pivotedside guides for each table 1 so mounted as to be movable toward and fromsaid conveyor, swinging stops for each table, an operators chair locatedon the mill-floor adjacent the rear of each table and at oneside'thereof, levers at vsaid chair for loperating said stops and saidside guides vand means operatively connecting said levers to said stopsand` side guides; said levers beingso arranged that the operator,without-leaving his chair may operate -said stops and side guides.

v2. The 'combination in a-catcher table having a chain conveyor, of apivotally mounted 'stop movableto' different positions lengthwise ofvthe table, asu'pport for said stop extending lthroughout that portionof the table within whichsaid aligning the materialcarried bysaid'cnveyor,

front and yback stops for said table, av base upon which 'said' tableand its operating motor and 76- gear set are mounted, jacks forsupporting the forward end of said base, racking means for supportingthe rear end of said base, whereby the table, said motor and said gearset may be moved as a unit, an operators chair located on the mill ilooradjacent the rear of said table and at one side thereof; operatinglevers at said chair for operating said stops and` said shufiling deviceand extensible connections between said levers and said stops andshuiiling device. l

'4. The combination with the chain conveyor of a material handling tablefor rolling mills, of side guides on opposite sides of said conveyor,pivotally mounted supports for said guides; the pivot points of saidsupports being locatedl below said conveyor, notched means extendingoutwardly on each side of said table a distance above said pivot points,supports mounted on said means and which carry said pivot points, meansfor locking said supports in different positions along said means tovary the normal distance between said `side guides and means forsimultaneously operating said side guides.

5. 'I'he combination with the chain conveyor of a material handlingtable for rolling mills, of side guides on opposite sides of saidconveyor, pivotally mounted supports for said side guides having theirpivot points located below said conveyor, brackets carrying said pivotalmountings and which are adjustable to different positions laterally ofsaid table, stops on said brackets for limiting the outward swingingmovement of said side guide supports, springs for yieldingly holdingsaid side guide supports in contact with said stops and means forsimultaneously swinging said supports either toward or from said stops.

6. In a combined support and racking device for use in supporting oneend of a mechanical table, a rack extending longitudinally beneath thetable, a wear plate paralleling said rack, a shaft extending.transversely of the table below said rack and wear plate, supportswithin which said shaft is journaled, a gear carried by said shaft andmeshing with said rack and a wear ring carried by said shaft and uponwhich said wear plate bears.

7. In a combined support and racking device for use in supporting oneend of a mechanical table, a rack extending longitudinally beneath thetable, a wear plate paralleling said rack, a shaft extendingtransversely of the table below said rack and wear plate, supportswithin which said shaft is journaled, a gear carried by said shaft andmeshing with said rack, a. wear ring carried by said shaft and uponwhich said wear plate bears, and means for locking said shaft againstmovement.

8. In a combined support and racking means for use in supporting one endof a mechanical table, spaced racks extending longitudinally below thetable, Wear plates paralleling said racks, a shaft extendingtransversely of the table beneath said racks and wear plates, supportsWithin which said shaft is journaled, gears carried by said shaft andmeshing with said racks, wear rings carried by said shaft and upon whichsaid wear plates rest and means for locking said shaft againstrotation.v p

9. The combination with the frame side members and platform of amaterial handling table. of a chain conveyor comprising separatedendless chains having their upper ilights mounted for movement abovesaid platform, and a shuffling mechanism comprising spaced side guideslocated outside of the upper runs of said conveyor chains and extendingabove the same, support arms for said side guides hlngedto supportmembers located below the table side members and which are movable todifferent positions laterally of the table, means for locking saidsupport members in adjusted position and means for simultaneouslyrocking said support arms to move said side guides toward or from saidconveyor.

' ROY J. LECKRONE.

